Process of combining natural gas and hydrocarbon oil for the production of gasoline



March 12, 1929. s WORTHINGTQN 1,705,348 I PROCESS OF COMBINING NATURAL GAS AND xnmaocmson 011. FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GASOLINE Filed May 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 1929- L. s'. WORTHINGTON ,3 8

PROCESS OF COMBINING NATURAL GAS AND HYDROCARBON OIL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF GASOLINE Filed May 1924 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 OIL 01/157 OIL SVPPL Y 0A5 411/0 VJPOR EXIT G FfEfl/IVG mva TREAT/Na //YCOM/A/6 R I 1 glwuemloz Patented Mar. 12,1929.

UNITED STATES 1,705,348 PATENT OFFICE.

LESTER S. WORTHINGTON, OF CASPER, WYOMING, ASSIGNOR TO I. THOMPSON, OI CASPER, WYOMING.

PROCESS OI COMBINING NATURAL GAS AN D HYDROCABBON OIL FOR THE PBODUWION' OF GASOLINE.

Application filed May 6, 1924. Serial 1T0. 711,382.

This invention relates to a process for combining natural gas and hydro-carbon oil for the purpose of producing gasoline or the like fuel and involves the use of an apparatus described and claimed in co-pending application, Serial N 0. 687,7 97.

More specifically the present invention contemplates the spraying of a jet of atomized hydro-carbon oil into a current of gas, the

atomized oil and gas being both heat treated prior to co-mingling to produce a proper working temperature and heating and con- (lensing, such vapors to produce a fuel the burning of which is practically without carbon deposit. I

Another feature of the present process includes the use of a catalyst such as uranium, vanadium, thallium or molybdenum, or the introduction of air at a desired temperature, or

both as conditions and circumstances may demand according to the nature of the hydrocarbon under treatment.

This process also may include the introduction of additional agents into the atomized mixture of natural gas and oil at the first part of the system before heating, or in the heating apparatus in such quantities as are found desirable, and these agents may include as previously suggested, air or may be carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or the like gases of combustion. Y

Other important features of the process in question will more clearly hereinafter appear by reference to the following specification, claims and drawings, the latter containing reference characters which designate corresponding parts throughout the several views in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus used in carrying out the present process, and

.Fig. 2 is an end elevation of same.

In producing gasoline or other fuel within the scope of the present process the petroleum is first heated to a predetermined temperature, which temperature will vary under different circumstances and in the treatment of various grades of crude oil. This heated petroleum is then sprayed into a current of heated gas, the temperature of which is proper to assist in the absorption of the desired vapors from the spray of hydrocarbon oil.

It has been found advisable and preferable to inject into the co-mingling mass of atomized oil and natural gas a percentage of in an amount insuflicient to completely consume the oil and gas if heatedto an ignition temperature in general about 33%% of this amount, and added in varying proportions throughout the passage through the heating chamber.

In addition or as a substitute,air, steam, carbon monoxide or gases of combustion may be added gradually to the mixing vapors before or during their passage through the heating chamber in order that the-temperature produced by oxidation may not exceed the desired range.

' To more clearly disclose the invention, an apparatus has been shown in the annexed drawings of suitable construction and arrangement to enable the production of gasoline or the like in a manner involving the main features of the process.

The storage tank A is shown elevated on a suitable platform B for the purpose of providing suitable pressure for feeding the 'hy- 'dro-carbon oil to the feeding chamber 0.

The hydro-carbon oil is supplied to the storage tank A through the feed pipe a which enters such tank at a point near its top. From the tank A this hydro-carbon oil passes to the auxiliary feedingtank or mixing chamber 0 through the pipe 6 which pipe terminates at one end at the bottom of'the tank A and at the other end projects upwardly through the bottom of the feed chamber C to a point approximately its center and is provided at the latter terminalwith a float controlled valve 0. By this arrangement, the level of the liquid in the chamber C is constant and the feed is automatic. To maintainequal pressure in the chamber C and 'the tank A, a pipe 0 connects the dome c of the chamber G with the top of the'supply tank.

A heating unit or retort D is located near the tank C, the heat being produced by any suitable means and the liquidhydro-carbon oil'is 'fed from the chamber C by meansof pipe 03 to suitable coils E in said heating unit where after proper firing, it is conveyed through the pipe 6 to the distributing pipe F. A series of atomizing or jet manifolds G radiate from the side of the feeding chamber C and comprise equally spaced cylindrical bodies which communicate with said chamber C. Into each of these manifolds G a nozzle f projects from the distributing pipe F 10- cated therebelow. and these nozzles terminate at a int substantially the center of each mani old G.

A pipe H connected to a suitable source of gas supply extends into the heating unit D and connects to the heating coils h and from this coil the gas, after being heated to aproper temperature is conducted to thedistributing pipe J through the pipe h. A valve h" is arranged the pipe h for the regulation of the pressure of the gas passing therethrough. The distributing pipe J which is located to extend in a plane at substantially the center of the row of manifolds G has a series of jets j which terminate outwardly of the jets f and directly above the latter.

Obviously, from the foregoing arrangement, the heated gas entering through the jets j from the coil 12. in the heating unit D will comingle with the spray of heated oil entering through the jets 7 from the heating coil E. As this mixture is sprayed through the manifolds G into the chamber C the vapors will escape through the discharge pipe K and the liquid will settle in the chamber C for furgases (for instance still head gas) and passed together for a period of time at a'temperature between normal and the cracking temperature of the oil used, that on passing through a condenser or absorber, or other suitable recovery system as now utilized in the art, that liquid hydro-carbons are recovered differing from the crude materials used. To one skilled in the art, it will be obvious that conditions may be so regulated, as by change of materials, temperatures, pressures and their ratio one to the other and the like, that a substantial amount of product may be produced in this manner which product is of such a nature that same maybe marketed as liquid motor fuel of the asoline type.

It wi 1 also be obvious to one familiar with the art that various modifications in temperatures', pressures and other features of the present invention will vary in accordance with the nature of the material being treated or according to the nature of the product desired. Also, the use and introduction of steam, air, carbon-monoxide and the like, may prove advantageous in many instances as may also the use of a catalyst as previously suggested.

The drawin in the present application have not provi ed either for the use of a catalyst or the introduction of air, steam or the in the apparatus as to render a complete illus-f tration impracticable.

What I claim is 1. A process of the class described consist- I ing in feeding hydrocarbon oil to a combined feeding and mixing chamber, controlling thesupply of oil fed to the chamber for preventing the oil in the chamber from rising above a certain elevation, so that a vapor space may be maintained in the chamber above the oil, passing the oil from the chamber and heatingit in said passage for vaporizing at least a portion of the same, atomizing the oil thus treated, and mixing it with a hydrocarbon gas, then introducing this mixture into the vapor space of said chamber to permit conde'nsates to fall into the oil in the chamber, discharging a mixture of gas and vapors from the vapor space of the chamber, and condensing a portion of the last mentioned mixture.

2. A process for treating hydrocarbon oil consisting in feeding the oil from a-supply tank to a combined feeding and mixing chamber, controlling the oil entering the chamber to prevent the same from rising beyond a certain elevation, withdrawing oil from said chamber and heating the same, reintroducing said heated oil in atomized condition into the chamber above the oil level therein, mixing a hydrocarbon gas with the oil during the atomization of the latter and also introducing said gas into said chamber, maintaining the pressurein the sup 1y tank and chamber equal, withdrawing t evapors evolved in said chamber, and condensing said vapors.

3. A process of the class described consisting in feeding hydrocarbon oil to a combined feeding and mixing chamber, controlling the supply of oil fed to the chamber for preventing the oil in the chamber from rising above a certain elevation, so that a vapor space may be maintained within the chamber, passing the oil from the chamber back to the chamber and heating it in said passage for. vaporizing at least a portion of the same, atomizin the oil thus treated and mixing said oil witha hydrocarbon gas, then introducing this mixture into the vapor space of the chamber and permitting condensate of the mixture to fall into the oil in said chamber, discharging a mixture of gas and vapors from the vapor space of the chamber, heating the last mentioned mixture, and then cooling the in said chamber to control the supply of oil fed to the latter, and for preventing the oil bon gas, then introducing this mixture into the vapor space of the chamber to permit condensates to fall into the oil in the chamber, discharging a mixture of gas and vapor from the vapor space of this chamber, heating the last mentioned mixture after it leaves said space, and then cooling the last mentioned mixture.

, 5. A process of the class described, consisting in feeding hydrocarbon oil to a combined feeding and mixing chamber, controlling the supply of oil to the chamber for preventing the oil in the chamber from rising above a certain elevation, whereb a vapor space is maintained in the cham er above the oil, passing a portion of the oil from the chamber and heating it in said passage for vaporizing at least a portion of the same, atomizing the oil thus treated and simultaneously mixing it with a hydrocarbon gas, introducing this mixture into the Vapor space of said chamber to permit condensates to fall into the oil in the chamber, discharging a mixture of gas and vapors from the vapor space of the chamber, heating the last mentioned mixture, and subsequently condensing a portion of the last mentioned mixture. 7

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LESTER S. WORTHINGTONQ 

